Want to put a diesel engine in a Frontier... is it possible?

Mar 5th, 2003, 01:29 PM

Hi,

I'm looking, for various reasons, to put a diesel engine in a Frontier Crew Cab. Is this possible? Would it only be possible to put in the diesel engine available in other countries, Australia for example? If so, how would I get that engine here and installed (here being the U.S.)? Can I drop in a diesel from another manufacturer... Mercedes, Ford, Dodge, etc.? Any and all information on this subject would be more than welcome and appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Regards,

Trip Gould

himilefrontier · Mar 5th, 2003, 06:33 PM

Anything is possible....with enough welding and fabrication(ever seen Monsters Garage?)but is it practical?You would be time and money ahead if you took all the money you'd spend on doing the conversion right(probably al least $2-5000)and trade in your Frontier on a nice used full size chevy Ford or Dodge truck with a diesel already in it.That way you still have a warranty and a vehicle that was engineered to work that way.Most swapped vehicles have quirks and reliability problems that drive you nuts. If your hearts really set on this,I would get all of the drivetrain, accessories,wiring and fuel system from an Australian Nissan Navarra(basically a Aussie Frontier) and import them to the US for the conversion.It won't be cheap,but that would be my best guess as to the correct way to go about it.It probably won't pass emissions though.

2000SE · Mar 6th, 2003, 07:23 AM

Please list your various reasons.

Diesel swap is possible if emissions laws in your state allow it. This is something you need to investigate.

Since the Frontier platform is shared in other markets with diesel powertrains, all you'll have to do is get a complete engine/transmission/electrical/fuelsystem/mounts/drivetrain from a boneyard overseas and have them ship it to you(or the entire wrecked donor vehicle). Hire a competent mechanic and go for it. This would cost way too much for someone just looking for better MPG.

Most domestic diesels are pretty huge and heavy. I don't see how a dodge/chevy/ford diesel would even fit without breaking something. There aren't enough vehicles with diesels to choose from. I read about a Samurai with a custom VW TDI swap, a Ford with Cummins power, and have heard some people dropping in Mercedes diesels in various vehicles. None of this seemed cost effective for the do it yourselfer. It would definitely be a "MONSTER GARAGE" sized project.